Learn Photography in Sydney at 7 These Local Neighbourhoods (2024)

Grab your camera, explore your neighbourhood and learn how to take good photos at some of the best photography courses in Sydney! Guided by a local photographer, you’ll learn photography basics and cover all the beginner-friendly tips and techniques that will allow your images to shine. The best part? Exploring the neighbourhoods of Sydney with a camera or smartphone in hand and snapping aesthetic images is one of the best ways to celebrate Sydney in 2024! It gets you out and about, viewing iconic structures through a new lens or discovering hidden gems that you never knew about. As far as outdoor activities go, you can't go past a Sydney photography class. It's a practical and hands-on activity that will see you socialising with like-minded creatives or bringing your friends along for a unique catch-up.

One of the best parts about these local photography courses is that they can be enjoyed with your private group. Whether you’re looking for unique team building activities in the Inner West or relaxing things to do in Manly with friends and family, these courses are perfect for absolute beginners looking to learn new skills with others.

These fun Sydney workshops also make great experience gift ideas for your loved one who owns a digital camera but isn’t sure how to get started with it. In no time they’ll be snapping away, experimenting with new angles and techniques and building their creative portfolio.

Interested in learning how to take good photos but don’t own a DSLR camera? Smartphone photography courses are another great way to get started with an item that almost everybody has in their pocket! From a smartphone photography course in The Rocks to classes where you’ll learn how to edit android or iPhone photos, there are so many more unique experiences you can try out with this simple and handy device.

If you’re excited to learn photography in your local neighbourhood and capture what you see through a whole new lens then check out these 5 unique classes below.

Top 5 Best Photography Courses in Sydney:

• Smartphone Photography Class with Alfonso's Photography Tours

• Beginner DSLR / Hybrid Photography Course with Alfonso's Photography Tours

• Private Photography Class with Alfonso's Photography Tours

• Photography Class for Beginners with Guen Lasalarie

• Beginner Photography Basics Class with Picture Me Sydney

Capture Circular Quay at night

What better way to capture the excitement and buzz of the Sydney CBD than with a night photography course in The Rocks? Exploring Sydney’s scenic cityscape, you’ll learn how to control ISO, shutter speed and aperture and receive useful tips and advice from an experienced photography teacher along the way. Circular Quay comes alive at night, with its dazzling lights emphasising the beauty of iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. With these hands-on digital photography classes in Sydney, you’ll be able to capture stunning pictures that showcase the magic of this city.

Searching for unique date night ideas? There’s something so fun and romantic about walking around the heart of Sydney’s harbour, taking beautiful photographs together and trying something new. If you’re stuck for Valentine’s Day presents or anniversary gifts then you can’t go wrong with these unique gift ideas for couples.

Master composition essentials in Leichardt

Learn the essentials of composition in Leichardt with The Aperture Club. Enjoy the scenic, outdoor backdrop of this walking photography course as you go through the process of learning how to capture and control your vision from lighting to framing and understanding depth of field. It’ll feel like no time has passed at this hands-on, four-hour workshop as you’ll be so focused and in the moment, capturing aspects of this inner-west suburb you’ve probably walked past a hundred times without noticing.

At the end of this comprehensive class, return home feeling confident in your abilities with a selection of high-quality images to show off to family and friends.

Don't own a DSLR camera and want to tap into the potential of your smartphone? Discover how to take incredible photos on your smartphone in Sydney.

Explore the laneways of Darlinghurst with your iPhone

If you’re looking for more beginner-friendly Sydney experiences then this iPhone photography class with Sarah Jenkins might be just what you’re looking for. Guided by Sarah, you’ll walk leisurely through the laneways of Darlinghurst and Paddington where you can practice putting practical smartphone photography techniques to the test.

As you take snaps of this fun and colourful neighbourhood, you’ll also learn how to edit photos on your phone using basic apps. By the end of this unique photography course, you’ll have the skills, knowledge and confidence to capture memories on the go that you can be proud to share on social media.

Capture the sunrise at Manly Beach

The early bird catches the worm, but did you know they take some of the best photos too? Wake up nice and early so you can use the first morning light at Manly Beach to take stunning photos. Basking in the beautiful sunrise, you’ll learn how to create long exposures over the glistening water of the beach, discover how to shoot creative portraiture and work with bodies, tones, shapes and, of course, the glistening ocean to achieve amazing results.

Take incredible photos before busy crowds flock to the beach and capture Manly in all its glory with these mindful Sydney activities.

Learn how to take photos at a cemetery in St Leonards

When it comes to unique things to do in Sydney, this DSLR photography course with Chris from maaitphoto truly comes out on top! At this hands-on workshop in St Leonards, your group will explore heritage-listed Gore Hill Cemetery. Guided by Chris, you’ll walk through this quiet, hidden gem, taking photos of the interesting gravesites and the weeds, flowers and grasses that grow freely at this historic site.

This one-of-a-kind class makes for wonderful experience gift ideas for a history-buff loved one, as while you take photos you’ll also learn a little about the history behind this cemetery and what makes it special. You’ll be so entranced by this cemetery that you might forget you’re also learning photography along the way! Chris will show you camera setting basics, exposure techniques, how to create good composition and so much more during this informative workshop and at the end, you’ll return home with an array of beautiful photos to admire. 

Practice taking travel photos in Cabramatta

Known for its Vietnamese influence, the Sydney suburb of Cabramatta is the perfect place to practice travel photography without jumping on a plane! During this class with Sarah Jenkins, you'll have time to get a deeper understanding of your camera settings before strolling around with your group taking shots of Cabramatta's Main street and bustling food markets. Get hands-on practice with street photography and learn handy tips and tricks from Sarah about capturing the essence of a place.

After you've worked up an appetite, stop for lunch at a local Vietnamese restaurant to take photos of your food and discuss any upcoming plans with Sarah. It's a wonderful day out exploring Sydney and will have you feeling like you've taken a mini holiday.

Immortalise nature's beauty in La Perouse

If you're interested in capturing the beauty of nature and mastering atmospheric landscape shots then you'll want to visit the sheer cliffs and ocean waves of Sydney suburb La Perouse. You'll want to have an understanding of your camera before taking this class which is more focused on experimenting with different photo techniques and capturing stunning landscapes from different perspectives. For beach and nature lovers, this Sydney photography class is the one for you!

It’s never been easier to learn photography in your local Sydney neighbourhood. With so many unique experiences to choose from, you’ll get to explore your DSLR camera from just outside your doorstep, and gain confidence with photography techniques and features with the help of local photographers and photography schools. You’ll be amazed at how much the world around you can change when it’s viewed through a whole new lens!